I’ve been miffed for some years that Boston’s suburbs had all the best Sichuan restaurants. Many regional Chinese cuisines are well-represented in town, but China’s fieriest wasn’t our long suit. Thus I was thrilled to learn that Sichuan Gourmet, whose outstanding outposts in Billerica and Framingham I’ve long patronized, had taken over the 120-seat former home of Chef Chang’s House. It deserves an extended Robert Nadeau review, but in the meantime, let this condensed preview encourage you to go now.

How the other half eats? Seeking to understand our once-and-future masters, I headed up to Falmouth, where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats, to examine how they eat. I followed some expensive sedans to Johnny's Bistro.

Review: India restaurant At one time in the mid-'90s, India had branched out to three or four restaurants in Providence and the East Bay.

A Dutch treat lands in Providence Not long ago, a Brown student with a big idea decided to bake cookies. A ho-hum sugar cookie wouldn't do. No, this budding baker wanted something a bit more exotic.

Red Lentil Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant By now everyone knows Red Lentil is dog-plays-the-piano good. It’s the best all-vegetarian and lots-vegan restaurant Boston has ever had. The question before us is: is it actually good -good?

Go for the doughnuts The French Press occupies the conceptual space matching its geographic location: to the left of Dunkin Donuts — more local, more artisanal, but hitting the same basic notes.

Restaurante Montecristo East Boston is a treasure trove of Latin American restaurants serving delicious, filling fare.

Eco-friendly Once upon a time, before the heyday of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, all beer was organic. And now organic is back for good.

El Pelón Taquería A 2009 fire in the Fenway destroyed an entire block of beloved independent restaurants, including the very popular El Pelón Taquería. It was the second fire in two years to hit this Baja-style joint, prompting my comment, “If there is a God, he’s an angry God, one who probably dines at Applebee’s.”

PORCHETTA ARROSTO AT CINQUECENTO | January 18, 2013 As a South Ender, I find it easy to admire the smooth professionalism and crowd-pleasing instincts of the Aquitaine Group, which operates six of its eight restaurants in the neighborhood, including Metropolis, Union, Aquitaine, and Gaslight.